Drake surveyed the smoldering remains of the forest. The immediate danger had passed, but the air still hung heavy with smoke, and the smell of burnt wood stung his nostrils. "Well, that was a productive morning," he muttered, stretching his stiff muscles. He felt surprisingly good, despite the near-death experience. The level up seemed to have rejuvenated him.
He opened the Codex. *Stats.*
* Level: 2
* Strength: 8
* Dexterity: 14
* Constitution: 9
* Intelligence: 12
* Wisdom: 7
* Charisma: 14
* Luck: 5
* Health: 95/100
* Available Points: 0
*Skills:*
* Observe (Level 1)
* Sense Magic (Level 1)
* Street Fighting (Level 1)
* Harvest (Level 1)
He frowned slightly. His strength was still lacking. He decided that he would focus on increasing that soon. For now, he needed to get out of this burnt forest.
*Notification: "New Quest Available: Whispers of the Wild. Objective: Investigate the strange whispers heard within the forest. Reward: 250 Codex Points, 1 x Unknown Item."*
"Whispers, huh?" Drake said, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds spooky. Just my type of adventure." He accepted the quest.
*Quest Accepted: Whispers of the Wild.*
He started walking, carefully navigating the charred landscape. The forest was eerily quiet, save for the occasional crackle of embers and the distant cawing of crows. After about an hour of walking he began to hear them. They were faint and indistinct at first, like the rustling of leaves in a gentle breeze. But as he went deeper, they became clearer.
They sounded like voices, whispering words he couldn't quite make out. They seemed to come from all directions, swirling around him like a phantom chorus.
*Notification: "Whispers of the Wild: Proximity to Source Increasing."*
Drake activated *Sense Magic*. He focused on the whispers, trying to pinpoint their origin. He could feel a faint magical energy resonating in the air, but it was diffuse and difficult to trace.
*Notification: "Sense Magic (Level Up Available). Cost: 100 Codex Points."*
Drake considered it. Upgrading Sense Magic would likely help him pinpoint the source of the whispers. He decided to do it. *Purchase Confirmed.*
With his newly upgraded Sense Magic, Drake focused again. This time, the magical energy became clearer. He could feel it emanating from a specific direction: deeper within the forest, towards a small clearing he could just make out through the trees.
As he approached the clearing, the whispers grew louder, more distinct. He could now make out some of the words: "…lost…alone…forgotten…" They sounded mournful, filled with sorrow.
The clearing was small and circular, surrounded by tall, ancient trees that had somehow escaped the fire. In the center of the clearing stood a single, gnarled oak, its branches reaching towards the sky like skeletal fingers. A faint, ethereal glow emanated from the tree.
*Notification: "Whispers of the Wild: Source Located."*
As Drake stepped into the clearing, the whispers intensified, becoming a chorus of voices. They spoke in unison, their voices echoing in his mind:
"*We are the forgotten. Lost to time, abandoned by the Gods. We seek release.*"
Drake felt a chill run down his spine. The voices were filled with such sadness and despair that it was almost palpable. He looked at the gnarled oak. The ethereal glow seemed to pulse with the rhythm of the whispers.
*Notification: "Quest Objective Updated: Communicate with the Forgotten Spirits."*